Improvement in boot and shoe stretchers



2 Sheets--Sheet1.

Patented July 13, I875.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS N. PETERS, FNOTO-LITHOGRAFHER, v/nsrlmm'on. D c.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

0. F. HARVEY. Boot and Shoe Stretcher.

Patented July 13, 1875.

WITNES ES 6W, 6: MM,

ATTORNEYS OWEN F. GARVEY, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOT AND SHOE STRETCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165,556, dated July 13, 1875 application filed July 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OWEN F. GARVEY, of Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Boot and Shoe Stretchers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures ot'rei'erence marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is a representation of a side view of my boot and shoe stretcher, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top view of the same, and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views.

This invention has relation to boot and shoe stretchers, and more particularly to the stretcher for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me on the 7 th day of April, 1874.

The nature of my invention consists in the employment of spurs on the bottom section of the stretcher, for the purpose of preventing the stretcher from slipping when in a boot or shoe.

In the annexed drawing, A B designate two sections, which constitute a last-shaped stretcher, A being the bottom section, and B the adjustable upper section. Near the middle of the length of the bottom section A is aslotted standard, a, which is received between two ears, 0, which are cast on the upper section B of the stretcher. A pin, 0, which is the fulcrum-pin of the section B, is passed through the ears I) and through the slot a, and plays freely in the latter. At the heel of the stretcher is a screw, D, extending through the section B, and having its lower end secured in the bottom section A, in such a manner as not to interfere with its rotation. l secure the screw 1) to the section A by constructing the former with an annular lip, e, on its lower end, which lies between two lips, f.

It will be seen from the above description that the stretcher, as far as I have described it, is substantially like that for which letters patent were granted to me, as above stated.

During the operation of stretching a boot or a shoe the stretcher patented by-me will slip longitudinally, and sometimes interfere with the object in view. This objection is overcome by casting steel spurs g with the ball of the bottom section A, at which places lugs h are formed on the upper side of this section, for the purpose of thickening the metal and giving a firm hold to the spurs. It will be observed that the spurs y will penetrate the sole of a shoe and prevent the stretcher from slipping. G designates an oblong convex portion, which is constructed with a tongue, t, on its bottom side, which tongue is adapted to enter one of three holes, 4., through the toe portion of the upper section B and hold the portion G in place. This portion G is used for stretching different parts of the toe of a shoe for relieving strain on corns and bunions, and it may be applied at any desired point on the upper section by providing holes to receive its tongue. G designates a convex portion, which is larger than the portion G, and which, like this latter portion, has a tongue formed on it for attaching it to the instep part of section B. The portion G is designed for stretching-the instep of a boot or shoe. When the fulcrum-pin e is moved toward the upper end of the slot a the instep portion is brought into play, and the toes of the two sections are brought together, and when the screw 1) is turned in an opposite direction, and pin 0 bears on the lower end of the slot a, the toes are moved apart and the portion G is brought into play, the spurs g, at the same time, preventing the stretcher from slipping.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a last for stretching boots and shoes, the

section A, provided with spurs g and slotted standards a, projecting from its bottom or lower surface, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

OWEN F. GARVEY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE A. WILBUR, WM. J. HOLDER. 

